Tel: 01926 634200
Email: post@princethorpe.co.uk
Careers Advice
We are proud of our Careers Advice Programme and use a combination of methods to help guide our pupils towards the most suitable careers
Year 9
Careers guidance begins in Year 9. Initially all pupils use the Kudos computer package during Form Group time. This links interests and personalities to potential careers, in preparation for GCSE options choices. Pupils also use the “Which Way Now” booklet as a guide.
In January Year 9 spend a day with the Warwickshire Education and Business Partnership (WEBP)participating in a Trading Game simulating the real life highs and lows of the business world.
Teams are allocated as the groups work through an imaginary five day week making a product for a fictitious American Diner Company.
Roles are designated, such as product designer, accountant, trader etc. Each team is given a starting float of £300 and their aim is to make as much profit as possible by the end of the week.
Year 9 student Millie Bray commented, "It was exciting and fun to play. There was a real sense of tension in the air every time the new information was given to us."
Organised by the Warwickshire Business Education Partnership students are advised by volunteer members of the local business world on areas such as profit and loss as well as risk taking.
Volunteer helper David Owen, a Quantity Surveyor for Stepnall Building Contractors in Rugby, said, "The atmosphere is great. This has to be a good experience for these young people – especially for their team building skills. They are working really well together."
Year 10
In Year 10 we use the careers software package Careerscape to give students access to more information on careers, subjects and qualification routes. The main focus though is on work experience, the process begins in the Autumn and culminates in a two week work placement in July. Family and friends are vitally important, and much appreciated, in helping students find places.
In January there is a Year 10 WEBP enterprise day and in the Summer term, some individual interviews with the Connexions service are available on site – a process which is continued into Year 11.
Year 11
In Year 11 the main focus is on individual interviews. In January, there is an Interview Skills Day, organised through the Warwickshire Business Education Partnership (WBEP), which sets out to put students through their interview paces and improve their knowledge of the world of work.
Each student fills in a mock application form indicating their strengths and interests. The forms are processed by a volunteer member of the WBEP who then interviews the student.
"The idea is to give the student a real taste of what an actual employment interview may feel like," comments Mrs Angie Maffey, Area Manager for the Partnership.
"We actively recruit business volunteers from the local community from a wide range of vocations. Students experience the interview and then receive both written and verbal feedback as a way of improving future performance."
Maggie Denton, a Practice Facilitator for the NHS, was one of this year’s visiting professionals. "I have been very impressed with those candidates who I have interviewed so far. Their confidence and technique has been skilful at such a young age. I really hope that the feedback they receive will be of value to them as they approach their future career choices."
Dan Turner of 11GS, seemed to agree saying of his interview experience, "I found it helpful and a good indication of what to expect in the future."
In Year 11 students are also kept informed about relevant open days and visits to the College from organisations such as the Army who this year gave a presentation on careers for officer level entry to Year 11 and Sixth Form students.
